‘No, very quiet. I suspect nobody wants to be cooped up in their cars on a day like this.’
Clara was relieved yet also disappointed that he wasn’t stuck in any hold-ups. There must be another very good reason for Tom’s delay.
When all the guests had arrived and been seated, and the strawberries had been served, she sat back to relax for a moment as the guests caught up with each other in between enjoying their tea. Even though the majority of guests came from the congregation, some didn’t see each other from year to year, and Clara watched how they happily caught up with long-lost friends. She was also pleased with the quality of the strawberries this year. So red and plump, it was just a shame that Tom hadn’t arrived to devour them.
Following a generous raffle, thanks to local businesses, she couldn’t hold off any longer. It was time to do the speech, before the guests relaxed and had their annual afternoon of croquet when no doubt Lawrence would be a sore loser.
Whilst it wasn’t quite the speech she was hoping to give, Clara got up and tapped the glass of Prosecco that she had poured for those who wanted some, and cheerily thanked everyone for attending.
‘We’ve raised a grand total of £850 thanks to your generosity today. So, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.’
The guests clapped and Clara had that feeling of satisfaction that she got when an event had gone well. She decided that unless there was carnage over croquet, the day had gone perfectly to plan, apart from the fact Tom was still missing.
‘You’re a star, Clara. Already looking forward to next year,’ shouted Charlie.
Would there be an afternoon tea next year? Possibly not if her interview at King’s College was successful. What was she thinking? She hadn’t even been shortlisted yet but she would certainly miss this event if she were to move to Cambridge.
‘Right then. Enough praise. How about more tea, vicar?’ shouted Professor Binton and everyone laughed.
‘Got the hint. I’ll make a fresh brew,’ said Clara, with a snort. How she adored the congregation, her colleagues and the lovely environment she lived in. Not to mention Tom, who she was already missing.
As much as she wanted to pick up her phone and message him, she could hardly leave her tea duties to check her phone. It would have to wait.
Only when she had served everyone more tea, with the help of Eleanora, could she make an excuse to run to her bedroom and lock herself in with her phone.
Where are you?
The message went through immediately and Clara willed for him to pick it up whilst she was sat on her bed.
‘Come on, Tom. Answer me,’ she said to herself.
She heard the voice of Professor Binton outside her room. It sounded like there was a queue outside the nearby bathroom. She would have to get back out there soon to make sure everyone was okay. Then she saw the message had been picked up. Tom was typing. Hooray!
And then he stopped.
Clara heard Professor Binton shouting her name.
‘Are you around, Clara?’
She had no choice but to open the bedroom door and get back to everyone.
‘Oh, yes. Sorry.’
‘I just came to get some tissues. I’ve managed to spill the tea. Sorry. Do you have any tissues or kitchen paper anywhere.’
Clara found some kitchen paper and helped mop up the mess. Lawrence, Brian, Margaret and Charlie were already playing croquet, and as Clara was about to sit down with Susan to thank her for being such a wonderful benefactor, she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. As she pulled it out, she hoped it would be Tom, but Professor Binton interrupted her before she could check.
‘I would never have thought strawberry sandwiches could be so delicious, Clara.’
‘Well, I thought if it’s good enough for M&S, it was good enough for us. We still need to persuade Eleanora, mind you.’
‘I’ll have words with her. One would never think it would work. Perhaps it’s an acquired taste. She’ll come round.’
‘Absolutely.’
Professor Binton carried on chatting away under the garden umbrella as Clara tried not to get impatient as he spoke about work, his wife and the new dog the family had rescued. She smiled and nodded but she was far away and couldn’t think of anything else but checking whether the message was from Tom.
Finally, Charlie called Professor Binton for his turn at croquet and Clara sighed an audible gasp of relief as she looked at her phone. The message was indeed from Tom.
